ADOPT A MOON BEAR

The moon bear, also known as the Asiatic bear, can be distinguished by the yellowish white crescent moon on its chest, in contrast to its deep black fur. These expert climbers scale fruit trees to feed and also live on leaves, nuts, berries, insects and small mammals. As a solitary species, moon bears only meet to mate. Females give birth to between one to three cubs who will stay with their mother until the age of two.

Moon bears are found across 18 countries, from Iran to China, in forested regions and open meadows. Classed as Vulnerable on the IUCN’s Red List, surveys of their range point to a 31% decline in numbers over the last 30 years.

Under threat from deforestation, human encroachment and poaching, moon bears also suffer from the abhorrent practice of bear bile farming.

Adoptions last one year (those paid by monthly direct debit roll over until cancelled).

ISSUES AFFECTING MOON BEARS TODAY

Used in traditional Chinese medicine, bear bile has been sought after for hundreds of years, resulting in the emergence in the 1970s of bear bile farms. This process involves the removal of bile from live animals causing untold suffering. Individuals have their teeth and claws removed and are kept in cramped cages.

The moon bear has been targeted for this practice more than other bears, an estimated 10,000 are held in farms across China alone, with more located in Korea, Vietnam, Loa and Myanmar. Cubs are removed from the wild to stock farms which has a devastating impact on wild populations.

The loss of the moon bear’s natural habitat is a further threat. According to the IUCN, logging and agriculture have impacted nine out of 18 range countries. As more forest cover is lost, populations are driven into smaller pockets, making the ability for hunters to gain access to individuals much easier.

Poaching is a persistent problem as demand for bear paws and gall bladders continues. Snares are also responsible for a significant number of deaths and injuries.

ADOPTING A MOON BEAR WILL HAVE A MASSIVE IMPACT

Funds from your adoption will support the lifetime care of rescued bears at Animals Asia's sanctuary in China as well as continuing efforts to rescue hundreds of others across the country. You will also be helping support Animals Asia's campaign to end the cruel practice of bear farming. Animal Asia’s bear sanctuaries provide a safe, natural environment where bears can live out the rest of their lives free from suffering.

You can help care for these bears by adopting Bodo.

It seems to me that the natural world is the greatest source of excitement; the greatest source of visual beauty, the greatest source of intellectual interest. It is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living.Sir David Attenborough

Your money will help:

Fund the lifetime care of Bodo and other bears like him

Rescue moon bears held in captivity in bear bile farms

Provide veterinary care to nurse sick and injured moon bears

Promote awareness of the welfare needs of captive animals

Work with governments to improve animal welfare and management

ADOPT BODO

Bodo was rescued from a bear bile farm where bears are ‘milked’ for bile, used in Asian medicine in November 2003 at a very young age. Thankfully, Bodo was too young to be 'milked'. When he was rescued, he was missing his right front paw. However, this doesn’t stop Bodo!

He now lives at Animals Asia’s China Bear Rescue Centre near Chengdu, supported by Born Free. Your adoption will help fund Bodo’s lifetime care, the care of other bears at the sanctuary, and support other vital work to help protect moon bears.

Help us provide the care Bodo needs.

To change to your preferred currency please use the currency option at the top of the page. Please note this is for display purposes only and your bank may offer a different exchange rate.

ADOPTION PACK DELIVERY INFORMATION

We will process and send your order within 3 working days, and would normally expect it to arrive within 7 working days to addresses within the UK. All UK orders are sent via Royal Mail 2nd class delivery. Please allow 28 days for delivery on overseas orders. Please note – we cannot hold orders for delivery on a specific date.

Orders do not need to be signed for, but come in a box which won’t fit through the letterbox so you will need to be available to accept the delivery. A card will be left if you’re unavailable.

ADOPTING A MOON BEAR AS A GIFT?

The adoption certificate can be personalised with the name of your choice, and delivery arranged to a separate address.

NEED HELP WITH YOUR MOON BEAR ADOPTION?

Call our customer support team on 01403 240170.

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